The lad proved a good prophet for the second torpedo skimmed over the water missing The Vulture by inches. At the same time The Vulture launched a torpedo and the three aboard the U-6 gasped as it seemed that the missile would surely strike home.
But the German submersible swerved just a trifle and the torpedo missed by a narrow margin. At the same moment the German submarine began to submerge. She escaped the fire of the pirate until her periscope also was all that was visible.
Then the pirate rose; a moment later the German craft came from below and both vessels launched torpedoes simultaneously.
Lord Hastings uttered an exclamation of astonishment.
"Of all the remarkable things I ever saw!" he ejaculated.
Frank and Jack were equally astonished; and the reason was this: both torpedoes had gone true and the periscope of each vessel fell away.
"There'll be no more diving," said Lord Hastings quietly.
Now the fighting submarines, both upon the surface, launched torpedo after torpedo at each other. A shot from the pirate struck her adversary a glancing blow on the bow and the head of the little craft ducked a trifle. But she bobbed up serenely again a moment later and returned the fire.
This time her aim had been true and the torpedo grazed the top of the conning tower. The Vulture also ducked, but came up again.
"It all depends upon who gets in the first square shot," said Lord Hastings, and at that moment the square shot struck.